Some of you may have heard me share this before, but I am convinced this is a message worth repeating. Nearly, eight years ago, when my now 17 year old daughter was nine, we had this wonderful discussion I want to share with you today.January 10, 2006I want to share with you a word of encouragement that came out of the Bible reading time I had with my daughter today. First of all we were reading in I Peter 4 of how God has given us all gifts and we are to use them to give God glory. While talking this over my daughter asked me, “Would you rather be a teapot or a soup bowl?” (This child tends to see things in word pictures, so stick with us) I started thinking and without answering her I asked what she thought of when she thinks of a teapot and she said, “I’m filled up with God’s word and pouring it out to lots of people.” Then I asked, “Does that mean a soup bowl is filled up but only feeds one person?” That was right, I was following her analogy. So we continued to talk and this is what we would like to share with you:Most of us desire to be beautiful teapot, pouring out to many the hot refreshment of God’s truths. We may not be brought out every day but when we get the opportunity we like to make others warmed with God’s encouraging words.Few of us see the beauty of a soup bowl that is chipped and worn from its everyday use. Yet it is filled with nutrients and sustenance that carry the person through to the next meal.It is where the person will turn to the next time they are feeling weak or hungry for more. The tea is enjoyable but it doesn’t carry with it the satisfaction of a hearty bowl of soup. Mom’s we are all soup bowls. We need to fill ourselves up continually so we are prepared to feed our little children’s hearts with God’s love, truth and guidance. Every day we are sought upon by these little ones to strengthen their hearts. Filling one little starving heart at a time is how we fulfill our soup bowl calling. Take full advantage the next time you are called upon to be a teapot, but don’t minimize the opportunity to be a soup bowl several times every day.

Merry Christmas!Thank You Jesus for Your wonderful gift of obedience to the Father that gives us both an example to follow and hope beyond this world.Phil 2: 5-7“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!”

Ever soak in a deep tub full of warm, almost hot, water? The water warms the body through and through. Sitting neck deep in water, there is lightness, almost floating. Ah, life is good in the bathtub.I often get this same feeling in the morning during my quiet time. As my Jesus holds me I feel the warmth of His love filling me. There is also a light feeling, like I can handle anything. But, then, as I go to face the day, just like pulling the plug in the bathtub, I start to feel the weight of the day come back. Why can’t I live life from the bathtub? Why can’t I keep the closeness of my quiet time going all day?Today as I pondered this, I realized that just as life is not meant to be lived from the bath tub, so it is wrong to think that life can be lived sitting on the couch basking in the Lord’s goodness.It is not that He doesn’t go with us wherever we go; it is the idea of His presence being like a bathtub that is off. We must function, we must serve our families and we can’t do that sitting in a bathtub. So instead of viewing God’s presence as just an oasis, recognize it as the air we breathe. A quite time, like a nice soak in the tub is refreshing, but it is the air we breathe that keeps us alive. We are to enjoy the opportunities we have to soak, yet, like the air we breathe our Jesus is Who keeps us going. As we walk throughout our day, we are not always aware of each breath we take; still we breathe, if not, we die.As we commit our ways to the Lord, we may not always be aware of His being near, yet He is there. So it is not the feeling of warmth and lightness that we are to be chasing, rather it is the confident knowing that the Lord our God is with us wherever we go.

Supplies: glass of water, two strawsAnnounce, “I have a prize for the person who can drink this glass of water, using these two straws, in ten seconds. Pick a volunteer. Have the volunteer first take a sip of water from each straw individually; next ask if they are ready. Now, take one straw out of the water and hold it outside the glass while the other straw remains in the water. Tell them to go. It is impossible to drink the water with one straw out of the glass. Feel free to give another volunteer a try.This is a picture of Luke 12: 29,31 “Do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.” “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”These verses tell us to focus on just one thing—pleasing the Lord—that is drinking with one straw. With just one straw, our thirst is quenched. By focusing on Jesus, by being thankful to Him and serving others, we welcome in peace and joy.When we try to have God and the things of this world we end up not having anything. Like drinking with two straws, the worldly things drain our hearing from God and experiencing His peace and joy.I know for me, it is better to give than to receive because of the joy I see it bring to others. I am blessed by other’s thankfulness. Now I am not saying God is like me, but I do believe He is blessed by our thankfulness. We honor Him by giving thanks in all circumstances. (I Thess. 5:18)Jesus also says in Matt. 25: 40 “The King replied, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.’”Truly as we serve one another, we are drinking from one straw, we are pleasing the Lord.Next week is Christmas, the celebration of Jesus birth. What a great time to be thankful and to drink from one straw. Yet, many other straws try to distract us. Things that could enhance our celebration of Jesus’ birth can drain and distract if we focus on ourselves or what we didn’t receive. Some extra straws might be: recitals, parties, presents, food…when these things disappoint us we feel empty. So instead of putting our straw (hope) in a perfect recital, an exciting party, or a special gift, focus on Who is being celebrated and serving those you are with. By being thankful we can enjoy the extras that come with Christmas too.Drinking from one straw is how the Lord wants us live year round. We can rid ourselves of the second straws that try to drain us by being thankful and serving others. When we are thankful, we chase away discontentment and welcome in peace and joy. When we serve others we are serving the Lord. By thanking and serving we are drinking from one straw, the straw of seeking God’s kingdom, which is pleasing the Lord.

Ever have trouble sleeping? That is me tonight; it is 2:22 a.m. and mymind is whirling. I wonder if the Lord has me awake for a reason so I pray for everyone that comes to mind. Perhaps it was the sad movie I watched before bed. More likely, it is our leaving on a trip tomorrow and worrying about what I might be forgetting. So, I pray for peace and sweet rest, yet, I toss and turn.

I’ve moved to the couch in order to not disturb my husband. After addressing all of the above I answered some emails and now I am talking with you. Anxiety about being tired tomorrow only works me up more, Lord, why can’t I rest? A battle like this, not being able to sleep, reminds me of how weak, fragile I am. When what I take for granted is disturbed, I crumble. Then I read about Jeremiah being dropped into a well, up to his neck in mud, with people throwing rocks at him and he trusts in the Lord without a single whiny word. (Lam. 3)

I have so much to be thankful for; even when I can’t sleep I can still sit in my Father’s presence, enjoy a warm fire, and communicate with others, amazing. That is what so many of those bumps in life are like, they seem like the straw that will break the camel’s back, until I start to be thankful. Thankful for everything and anything turns a dark situation bright.